#303 Jamilya Mayo who said, “The Innotab 3 is an awesome educational, engaging, and fun device! I love the fact that the Innotab 3 introduces new vocabulary, fun games and cool apps

#510 Mary M., who said, “I love that there are apps that already come with it. I love that they are kid friendly and have an mp3 on it as well ! It seems like it will grow with the child.”

Congrats to both of you. Be on the lookout for an email from me shortly. Enjoy!

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“All incoming Kindergarteners should know how to use a tablet device before they arrive.”

I chuckled a bit when the Principal said this at my son’s Kindergarten orientation. I mean, if that’s a metric of success, game over. Freeman kids win. Harvard here we come!

But in all seriousness, that one sentence told me I was in the right place. I found a school district that believes in leveraging the power of technology to enhance learning, not banishing it out of the classroom because of its “evil” ways.

I’m not saying there’s no down side to mixing kids and tablets. Any parent who has handed an iPad to a child without hiding the Youtube button knows what I mean. It’s far too easy for little ones to wander off and see things they shouldn’t on that big bad World Wide Web.

That’s why I prefer kid tablets over the more expensive (and far more fragile) adult devices. Because every piece of content is created to be safe, educational, engaging and fun, I can let them explore on their own, without worrying about them ending up somewhere I don’t want them to be. And because the units are durable, I don’t have to run behind them screaming, “Two hands! Do you know how much that thing costs???!!!”

Last weekend, I put the boys to work testing out the new Innotab 3 from Vtech, which isn’t on shelves yet but available for pre-order as of yesterday.

When we test out devices in my house, I just open the box and hand a device to each of them with zero instructions and see what happens. That way I can see if the unit is intuitive and entertaining enough on its own, without a ton of extra cartridges or apps.

Within an hour, they were hooked. Within a day, I was too, after hearing things like this come out of their 4- and 5- year old mouths …

“Mom, did you know H20 means water? Did you know that paper and sponges soak up water? Do you want to know what evaporation means?” – Jack learned this while playing H20 Go! Science Game, a directional pad game that teaches science concepts

“Konichiwa” – to the Target employee. “Grazie” – to the person who opened door for us. – Both boys learned how to say phrases like “please,” “thank you,” “hello,” and “goodbye” in several different languages using Innotab Globe, an educational app containing a world map, country facts, capitals and languages

“Two quarters together make fifty cents, right mom?” – they loved this shopping app that allows you to scan your items and pay using dollars and cents

Here’s the Innotab 3 in action:

As you can see, this tablet is is packed with great features and content, right out of the box, including:

180 degree camera that allows kids to take photos of others as well as “selfies”

Art Studio and Wondercam lets kids draw and add silly special effects, funny faces and photo frames to their photos

Create your own MP3 list. My little ones were rockin’ out to the pre-set music all day long.

Ereaders with dictionaries help kids learn to read and understand new vocabulary

15 built in apps, plus one free download, redeemable on the Learning Lodge, a place where parents can go to fine new games or check progress

And here are your Jack and Sam picks!

Jack’s pick: He loved the Frog game. In addition to being a fun game, he learned how a tadpole becomes a frog.

And proving that a pink demo unit will not disintegrate in the hands of a boy …

Sam’s pick:The Magical Beanstalk growing game! This was a huge hit with both kids, actually. They were able to plant and take care of their own beanstalk,watching it grow and collecting beans along the way. Now we’re constantly having to check on his beanstalk to make sure no bugs or weeds are getting it. I love that he’s learning how to take care of something.

All in all, a fantastic investment at $69.99.

InnoTab 3 is now available for pre-order on www.vtechkids.com, Amazon.com, Target.com, Toysrus.com and Walmart.com. It is recommended for ages 3-9.

Two lucky readers are going to win an Innotab 3!

To enter, tell us your favorite feature from the list above (or their web site) in the comments below.

A winner will be chosen by random drawing and announced at the top of the blog within 48 hours of the close of the contest. All comments must be posted by Monday, July 1st at 11:59 pm ET to be eligible.

Good luck!

RULES: No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 US and DC, 18 or older. Sweepstakes ends 11:59pm on Monday, July 1st. One winner will be chosen by random drawing and must reply to claim prize within 72 hours of receiving the email notifying them they have won. Please allow 6 – 8 weeks for delivery after contest has ended and prize has been claimed. Employees of BabyCenter, Vtech and their families are not eligible. Void where prohibited. For the Official Rules, which govern, click here.

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. I did receive two demo units to try out for the review.

I don’t think there’s a part that I dislike! But my absolute favorite is that it grows with my kid. A lot of the learning systems are 2-4 or 3-5 but the innotab has always seemed to do it all! We planned on gettin one for our son at Christmas! He will be about 2 1/2 by then!

Kimsays:

June 25, 2013 at 8:49 am

I love the tot friendly games they have, this would be ideal for my son Brandon.

Jlynnsays:

June 25, 2013 at 8:50 am

We have the innotab 2 for my four year old and her little brother would love one too. I love the learning games that are easy for them to play on their own.

C. Torressays:

June 25, 2013 at 8:51 am

I love that they can just take it and learn on their own without a lot of extra stuff!!! My LO would love this

Dorothysays:

June 25, 2013 at 9:02 am

I like the science game. My son loves science and I know he would love to play the game. I am going to have to check this out when Christmas time comes along.

Amandasays:

June 25, 2013 at 9:06 am

My son would like the camera.

Jennasays:

June 25, 2013 at 9:11 am

I love the learning games and the camera!

Sarah V.says:

June 25, 2013 at 9:17 am

I love that it includes apps and my son would love that it has a camera! He’s obsessed with photos!

Moniquesays:

June 25, 2013 at 9:20 am

I like that it comes with apps and the expandable memory!

Gail Psays:

June 25, 2013 at 9:31 am

I love that my 3 year old, who has more apps on my phone than I do, would have to work pretty hard to damage it!! And I love, love, love the fact that he can have fun and learn at the same time!!!

Momof2says:

June 25, 2013 at 9:33 am

My kiddos would love the art studio!

Ashleesays:

June 25, 2013 at 9:33 am

I low the camera and the games. My daughter loves playing with all the different apps on my phone and taking pictures. She would absolutely love her own tablet.

Ashleesays:

June 25, 2013 at 9:34 am

I love the camera and the games. My daughter loves playing with all the different apps on my phone and taking pictures. She would absolutely love her own tablet.

Sheri jsays:

June 25, 2013 at 9:39 am

I would love the ereader

Juliasays:

June 25, 2013 at 9:48 am

Love the MP3 player since my son loves music!

Kelliesays:

June 25, 2013 at 10:14 am

I love the 180 degree camera that allows kids to take photos of others and themselves!

POSTERsays:

June 25, 2013 at 10:38 am

‘H2O go! Science game’ is my favorite from the list, hands down! We love science around here and what a great device this seems like it will be. I have always said if we got another device, it would be an ipad so that we would have to spend more money on apps but this just might change my mind. It is safer for little hands, which is awesome! Great review, thanks :).

susansays:

June 25, 2013 at 10:46 am

I love the built in apps but I think my little one would love the camera!

Traceysays:

June 25, 2013 at 11:01 am

I love the camera feature. My son loves taking pictures of himself with my camera and this way I wouldn’t have to hover to make sure he doesn’t drop or throw my camera.

ColleenMarie82says:

June 25, 2013 at 11:06 am

I like that it can play MP3s

Mimiluvsays:

June 25, 2013 at 11:30 am

I love the feature- Ereader with dictionary help kids learn to read and understand new vocabulary. My son loves to learn new words and the dictionary feature would help him understand the meaning of all those new words right away.

Katiesays:

June 25, 2013 at 11:33 am

I love anything that teaches kids in a different way: taking care of a plant, reading, etc. it gets them excited about learning.

Laylasays:

June 25, 2013 at 11:34 am

I love the art studio and camera!

Jericasays:

June 25, 2013 at 11:53 am

My favorite feature is the 180 degree camera. My kids love taking pictures and it would be great for them not to fill my phone up with pictures of the floor. I know they’d love that they can take pics of anything!

Jennifersays:

June 25, 2013 at 12:06 pm

My favorite would probably be the learning apps built in, my son would love having his very own camera.

Lauren Jimenezsays:

June 25, 2013 at 12:10 pm

I love the fact that it already has 15 apps installed. So my son could just start using it and I don’t have to sit there for an hour trying to install apps.

Kelli F.says:

June 25, 2013 at 12:23 pm

I love how it has a variety of technological & educational features! My fav is the ereader. My husband would love the mp3/music feature. Not sure what my toddlers would like best about Inno Tab 3.

Suzannesays:

June 25, 2013 at 1:08 pm

I Like the e reader

Angelinasays:

June 25, 2013 at 1:09 pm

E-reader for sure but the games would be great for my son too.

Jen Hsays:

June 25, 2013 at 1:24 pm

My kids would love the camera on it!

Jennifersays:

June 25, 2013 at 2:20 pm

My daughter is starting kindergarten this fall so I love the ereader with the dictionary feature to help her expand her vocabulary.

Rachaelsays:

June 25, 2013 at 2:27 pm

The camera seems like a cool feature.

Beth Sigmundsays:

June 25, 2013 at 2:31 pm

The science game sounds great! It was one of my favorite subjects.

Jamie Ksays:

June 25, 2013 at 3:18 pm

The e-reader for sure! My 4 year old flies through books and I think he’d love it!

Capriccesays:

June 25, 2013 at 3:25 pm

I LOVE the language feature of this children’s tablet!! It is such a fun and easy way to get children exposed to other languages that they may otherwise never have encountered!!

lindsaysays:

June 25, 2013 at 3:29 pm

I love the games and camera. This would be wonderful to have so I could reclaim my Kindle!

Sheena Ritzsays:

June 25, 2013 at 3:37 pm

I like the idea of the Ereaders with dictionaries that help kids learn to read and understand new vocabulary

Sunnymaysays:

June 25, 2013 at 3:48 pm

I like the 350 educational games, the interactive e-books and the 180 degree Rotating Camera & Video Recorder. The Inno Tab 3 is for ages 3-9 years old and is user friendly and the right size for kids to hold.

yaniesays:

June 25, 2013 at 4:07 pm

i like the camera. love to win this for my son.

shainasays:

June 25, 2013 at 4:30 pm

Both my boys would love the camera and my older one would love the e reader!

Tarasays:

June 25, 2013 at 5:04 pm

I love the MP3 list!

Tiffany A.says:

June 25, 2013 at 5:14 pm

I live the 180 degree camera! I would love to see what kid of pictures my little one would take of the world!

debisays:

June 25, 2013 at 5:22 pm

love that this can be his very own. Also, love anything that teaches new words or concepts…

FutureGryffindorsays:

June 25, 2013 at 5:40 pm

Educational games? Sign me up!!!

mamaof3says:

June 25, 2013 at 5:58 pm

too many to memtion, games camera features oh my!

Natalie Ssays:

June 25, 2013 at 6:04 pm

Love this! I love the wifi and 180 degree camera features! My boys would really love one of these!

LaTanya Bennettsays:

June 25, 2013 at 6:10 pm

Definitely the camera; my son would love it!

Jessicasays:

June 25, 2013 at 6:14 pm

I love the e reader and also that there are more advanced apps available for older kids. I have a pretty advanced four year old and a two year old who is just starting to make huge leaps on the learning path. Something like this would be great for both of them.

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